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WHAT ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR?

Name: WHAT ARE YOU HUNGRY FOR?
Author: Emme Aronson
ISBN: 978-0-06-054307-5

FEED YOUR TUMMY AND YOUR HEART

by Emme Aronson & illustrated by Erik Brooks ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2007

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If you’re hungry for a good story, skip this saccharine and potentially confusing paean to the joys of satisfying our inner selves with love from family, friends and pets. The brief text contrasts times when a certain food fulfills a longing to other moments when a laugh, a cuddle or a goodnight kiss is just what the child narrator needs. Confusion may arise from the fact that the two “sometimes” mentioned by the narrator generally appear to be separated by only minutes. Another potential source of confusion is the fact that preschoolers, who tend to be concrete thinkers, may not make the connection between being satisfied by a hot dog and entertained by a big sister’s antics. Simply drawn, round-headed, snub-nosed kids of indeterminate age populate the illustrations. In some cases, the red-headed narrator appears to be a preschooler, in others an elementary school–aged child. Adult characters are awkwardly drawn, though the pets (particularly the dog) have a genuine appeal. While the author’s intentions are obvious and laudable, the end result is barely palatable. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: July 1, 2007

ISBN: 978-0-06-054307-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2007

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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A DOG NAMED SAM

by Janice Boland & illustrated by G. Brian Karas ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1996

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A book that will make young dog-owners smile in recognition and confirm dogless readers' worst suspicions about the mayhem caused by pets, even winsome ones. Sam, who bears passing resemblance to an affable golden retriever, is praised for fetching the family newspaper, and goes on to fetch every other newspaper on the block. In the next story, only the children love Sam's swimming; he is yelled at by lifeguards and fishermen alike when he splashes through every watering hole he can find. Finally, there is woe to the entire family when Sam is bored and lonely for one long night. Boland has an essential message, captured in both both story and illustrations of this Easy-to-Read: Kids and dogs belong together, especially when it's a fun-loving canine like Sam. An appealing tale. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 1, 1996

ISBN: 0-8037-1530-7

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1996

Categories:

CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S

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BERRY MAGIC

by Teri Sloat & Betty Huffman & illustrated by Teri Sloat ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2004

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Sloat collaborates with Huffman, a Yu’pik storyteller, to infuse a traditional “origins” tale with the joy of creating. Hearing the old women of her village grumble that they have only tasteless crowberries for the fall feast’s akutaq—described as “Eskimo ice cream,” though the recipe at the end includes mixing in shredded fish and lard—young Anana carefully fashions three dolls, then sings and dances them to life. Away they bound, to cover the hills with cranberries, blueberries, and salmonberries. Sloat dresses her smiling figures in mixes of furs and brightly patterned garb, and sends them tumbling exuberantly through grassy tundra scenes as wildlife large and small gathers to look on. Despite obtrusively inserted pronunciations for Yu’pik words in the text, young readers will be captivated by the action, and by Anana’s infectious delight. (Picture book/folktale. 6-8)